The New Orleans Saints are going through a major transition in 2021 without Drew Brees at quarterback.
That means either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill needs plenty of help from the skill players on offense.
A simple glance at the roster would tell most fans that the quarterbacks are in great shape because Michael Thomas is still on the team.
However, his name has been connected with more drama the past year than anything else.
The latest story comes because of a Thomas tweet.
The receiver opted to have surgery this summer when he could have realistically had it months prior.
A report came out saying Thomas ignored calls from the team, leading to this delay.
Thomas offered up his own response to the story.
The #Saints recently leaked story to media that star WR @Cantguardmike didn't respond to their calls for 3 months and didn't want to get surgery early.
Michael Thomas posted this today. pic.twitter.com/ooEDlEqscm
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 9, 2021
This is clearly not good for the relationship between team and receiver.
The Injury
The whole ordeal began when Thomas suffered his ankle injury in Week 1 of last season.
That held the receiver to only seven games after he led the league in receptions and yards in 2019.
Thomas was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and 2019, but is now seemingly in a battle with his team that won’t end anytime soon.
Saints' Michael Thomas ignored calls from coaches for three months during his offseason rehab, per @JeffDuncan_
Thomas wanted a second opinion from another doctor to decide how to best deal with his rehab and surgery pic.twitter.com/8PcZhRSrod
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 7, 2021
He is also set to miss time at the start of the season, so who knows when he will be fully ready to go again.
There are clearly two sides to this story and Thomas was quick to point out that fact.
Was Thomas ignoring their calls?
That is one side, while the other is apparently him withholding information to protect the team.
Or at least that is what he is saying.
A Damaged Relationship
Thomas signed a $96 million extension before the 2019 season and is under contract through 2024.
The dead cap value drops down to $22.7 million in 2022, and gradually drops from there until the end of the deal.
The best thing for both sides is to work this out.
Thomas is an elite talent at receiver and the Saints will have a new quarterback under center in 2021.
This problem is clearly between Thomas and the organization as opposed to his teammates.
However, some are likely unhappy he did not have surgery until June.
Yet that is all part of the confusion here.
One side is saying Thomas ignored calls and he is saying that is not the story.
His teammates are left somewhere in the middle just trying to focus on preparing for the season.
If Thomas can make a quick recovery and help the team in 2021, that should help solve some problems right away.
But if he does not, and takes his time, the front office may have to make a tough decision following the year on the receiver’s future with the Saints.
NEXT: Saints Can’t Move Forward With Taysom Hill As Starter